PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Zachery Klein (ranked 6359 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jay Speights (ranked 24941 p4p, 0 weight class). Jay Speights is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Klein
vs
Speights

170 cm
24
151 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zachery Klein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jay Speights!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Klein has his takedown stuffed

and Speights counters by clinching up.

Speights gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Klein has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Speights is working away from the top position though.

Speights seems to be working for a kimura but Klein defends the submission attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Klein is staying active underneath Speights, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Speights wants to pass to mount but Klein is defending the position.
Speights perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Speights not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Klein is trying to maintain the position but Speights is very close to passing his half guard.
Klein gets full guard.
Klein trying to keep a closed guard but Speights is proving a slippery customer.
Klein avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Speights missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Speights trying to control the position from guard on top but Klein is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Klein throws a head kick that misses.
Speights with the counter takedown but Klein avoids it easily.
A low kick from Klein is predictable there

and Speights counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Klein is pulling down on Speights's head. It's preventing any offense from Speights, at least for the moment.
Speights content to stall in guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Speights with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Speights missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Speights stays in close to Klein's body and controls the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Klein closes the distance and clinches.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Speights works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Speights dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Klein throws a lazy uppercut

and Speights counters with a shoot takedown. Klein fights it but they end up in guard.
Speights pushes down on Klein's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Klein tries to get to full guard but Speights has control of the leg.
Speights sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Klein defending well though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Klein is looking to improve his position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Speights looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Speights has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Klein flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Speights is trying to control the action in half guard but Klein is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Klein misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Speights is controlling the pace.
Klein wants to get back to full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Klein connects with a solid leg kick.
Speights stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Speights wants it to stay on the feet.
Speights feints the counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klein throws a head kick but Speights moves out of range.
Speights is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Klein misses with a takedown attempt

and Speights counters with a shoot takedown. Klein fights it but they end up in guard.
Speights slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Speights with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Speights advances to half guard.
Speights trying to control from half guard but Klein is working away.
Well, if Speights is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Speights wants to lay and pray for a moment but Klein keeps working.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Speights controlling the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Speights showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Klein's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Speights defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Klein.
A head kick misses from Klein.
Klein tries to clinch up.
Speights steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Klein.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Klein rushes Speights and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Speights ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Speights no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klein trying to control but Speights is working from the bottom.
Klein makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Speights working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Klein.
Speights has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Speights wants to sweep here but Klein controlling him for the moment.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Speights holds on and takes a little breather.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Klein has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Speights keeping moving, preventing Klein from controlling successfully.
Speights is pulling down on Klein's head to control his posture.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Klein with a hook.
Klein connects with a single shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klein misses with a straight right.
And Speights tries to counter it with a takedown but Klein pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Klein lands a lovely overhand right.
Speights has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Speights takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Klein connects with a jab.
Klein throws a head kick that misses.
Speights is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Speights takes one to the side of the head.
Klein scores with a jab to the jaw.
Zachery Klein has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jay Speights is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Klein lands with an uppercut that bounces Speights off the cage and back into range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zachery Klein showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Speights has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jay Speights!